Objective To preliminarily compare accuracy of magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) and T2WI in assessing stiffness of tissue.Methods Agar gel phantoms of 23 different concentrations ranging from 0.8％-3.0％ were produced.All the phantoms were examined with MRE and T2 map scanning respectively.After the raw images were processed by using local wavelength estimation (LEF),shear modulus of scan slice was measured,and T2 value of the same slice was measured with GE ADW4.3 workstation.Pearson correlation analysis was used to test the correlation between shear modulus and agar concentration,as well as T2 value and concentration.Rank sum test was used to compare the correlation coefficients of them.Results All the shear modulus and T2 values of the phantoms were successfully obtained,which were (49.1 ± 23.5) kPa and (57.8 ± 21.8) ms respectively.Shear modulus was positively correlated with concentration of agar gel(r1 =0.985,r1 2 =0.970,P ＜ 0.01),while T2 value was negatively correlated with concentration of agar gel (r2 =-0.901,r22 =0.812,P ＜ 0.01).The differences of these two correlation coefficients were statistically significant (Z =5.459,P ＜ 0.01).Conclusion MRE is more accurate to reflect stiffness of tissues relative to T2WI,and shows great clinical prospect.

China ; Computer Communication Networks ; economics ; Hospital Information Systems ; economics ; standards ; Radiology Information Systems ; economics ; standards

Objective To intruduce a method of making cerebral perfusion mapping and measurement using dynamic CT with a personal computer. Methods We generated the cerebral perfusion mapping and measurement from a series dynamic CT images with a personal computer. The theoretic basis of our technique is central volume principle. The application software was made using visual C++ language with Windows 98 platform. Results This method was applied to a case of transient ischemic attack (TIA). The cerebral perfusion mapping contributed to display the abnormal area of ischemia, which showed as normal imaging appearances in routine CT and MR images. Conclusion Personal computer aided mapping and measurement of cerebral perfusion with dynamic CT is a simple and accessible technique for delineating the hemodynamic response, including abnormal regional cerebral blood flow, blood volume, mean transit time, and time to peak in cases of hyperacute ischemic stroke which was viewed as normal imaging findings in routine CT and MR examination. This method is more suitable to examine emergency cases than MR perfusion imaging and may be used in any facility where CT scanner and personal computer are available.

Objective To delineate the MR imaging features of intramedullary subependymoma. Methods The MR imaging features of 4 cases of pathologically proved intramedullary subependymomas were analyzed retrospectively and correlated with operative reports, and the differential diagnosis was discussed. Results MR appearances of intramedullary subependymoma were as follows: (1) Intramedullary subependymoma often involved the cervical region or the extensive portions of the cervical and thoracic cord in 3 out of 4 cases, mainly affected adults, and was eccentric within the spinal cord. The tumor was in the thoracic-lumbar cord in 1 case. (2) They were heterogeneously hypointense relative to the normal spinal cord on T 1-weighted images and hyperintense on T 2-weighted images, occasionally with hemorrhagic foci (2 cases). (3) No enhancement or minimal enhancement was revealed on T 1-weighted images following Gd-DTPA administration (3 out of 4). Conclusion Intramedullary subependymoma are best delineated by MR imaging. The diagnosis of intramedullary subependymoma should be considered when above findings are confronted.

Objective To investigate the applicative value in stages of pre-infarction period using dynamic perfusion CT. Methods Dynamic perfusion CT was performed in 32 cases of cerebral hypoperfusion. The ratios of side-to-side were measured at hypoperfusion areas in the regional cerebral ischemia. The stages of pre-infarction period were made as the following: (Ⅰ 1) TTP was delayed, MTT, rCBF and rCBV were normal; (Ⅰ 2) TTP and MTT were delayed, rCBF was normal, and rCBV was normal or slightly increased; (Ⅱ 1) TTP and MTT were delayed, rCBF was decreased, and rCBV was normal or slightly decreased; (Ⅱ 2) TTP and MTT were delayed, rCBF and rCBV were decreased. Results There were 4 cases in stage Ⅰ 1. Regional hypoperfusion was revealed only by TTP map. The mean ratios of rCBF, rCBV, MTT, and TTP were 1.00, 1.00, 1.00, and 1.30, respectively. In stage Ⅰ 2, the areas of delayed TTP and MTT were found in all 13 cases. The rCBF and rCBV maps appeared normal in 8 cases. Another 5 cases showed normal rCBF and slightly increased rCBV areas. The mean ratios of rCBF, rCBV, MTT, and TTP were 1.00, 1.03, 1.38, and 1.30, respectively. In stage Ⅱ 1, the areas of delayed TTP and MTT were revealed in all 8 cases. The depiction of decreased rCBF was also found in 8 cases. The areas of decreased rCBV were showed in 5 cases, and normal rCBV maps were revealed in 3. The mean ratios of rCBF, rCBV, MTT, and TTP were 0.56, 0.94, 1.49, and 1.47, respectively. In stage Ⅱ 2, the areas of delayed TTP and MTT were revealed in all 4 cases, in whom depiction of decreased rCBF and rCBV was also found. The mean ratios of rCBF, rCBV, MTT, and TTP were 0.42, 0.59, 1.57, and 1.55, respectively. Conclusion CT perfusion imaging and its parameters' analysis may play an increasing role to delineate the depiction of cerebral hypoperfusion in pre-infarction period. Analyzing the relationship of rCBF, rCBV, MTT, and TTP is very helpful to know the status of the capillary vessels in regional cerebral hypoperfusion area and to provide functional information with our stages of pre-infarction period.

Objective To investigate variation in the carotid bifurcation geometry of adults of different age by MR angiography images combining image post-processing technique. Methods Images of the carotid bifurcations of 27 young adults (≤40 years old) and 30 older subjects ( >40 years old) were acquired via contrast-enhanced MR angiography. Three dimensional (3D) geometries of the bifurcations were reconstructed and geometric parameters were measured by post-processing technique. Results The geometric parameters of the young versus older groups were as follows: bifurcation angle (70.268°± 16.050° versus 58.857°±13.294°), ICA angle (36.893°±11.837° versus 30.275°± 9.533°), ICA planarity (6.453°±5.009° versus 6.263°±4.250°),CCA tortuosity (0.023°0.011 versus 0.014± 0.005), ICA tortuosity (0.070±0.042 versus 0.046±0.022), ICA/CCA diameter ratio (0.693± 0.132 versus 0.728±0.106), ECA/CCA diameter ratio (0.750±0.123 versus 0.809±0.122), ECA/ ICA diameter ratio (1.103±0.201 versus 1.127±0.195), bifurcation area ratio (1.057±0.281 versus 1.291±0.252). There was significant statistical difference between young group and older group in bifurcation angle, ICA angle, CCA tortuosity, ICA tortuosity, ECA/CCA and bifurcation area ratio (F= 17.16,11.74,23.02,13.38,6.54,22.80,respectively, P<0.05). Conclusions MR angiography images combined with image post-processing technique can reconstruct 3D carotid bifurcation geometry and measure the geometric parameters of carotid bifurcation in vivo individually. It provides a new and convenient method to investigate the relationship of vascular geometry and flow condition with atherosclerotic pathological changes.

Objective To apply a non-invasive and feasible method for the quantification of local wall shear stress (WSS) in vivo using magnetic resonance imaging. Methods The fight common carotid artery of a young healthy male volunteer was examined using cine phase-contrast MR sequence. The cross- sectional area, average flow velocity, maximum velocity and flow rate were obtained. Three dimensional paraboloid model was applied to measure WSS value at common carotid artery. Results The mean/peak WSS was (0.75±0.41)N/m2 for the common carotid artery; The mean (range) velocity was (23.4± 12.0) cm/s; The mean (range) luminal vessel area was (32.2±2.9) mm2; The blood flow rate was (7.8±4. 6) ml/s; Conclusion WSS's magnitude, distribution and changes can be determined by MR imaging combining with the three-dimensional paraboloid method.

Objective To study the MRI findings in a series of intracranial hemangiopericytomas, and to compare these findings with those of intracranial meningiomas. Methods The MRI appearances and clinical features in 27 cases of intracranial hemangiopericytomas and 236 cases of intracranial meningiomas were retrospectively reviewed. All cases were proved by operation and pathology. The data were evaluated by using ? 2 test, rank sum test, and Logistic Regression. Results Sex (? 2=6 981), shape of tumor (? 2=39 949), signal voids of vessel in tumor (? 2=12 366), necrosis or cystic degeneration in tumor (? 2=37 432), the type of dural attachment ( broad based or narrow based ) (? 2=16 956), T 1WI signal intensity (? 2=14 880), T 2WI signal intensity (? 2=37 068), enhanced degree of tumor (? 2=10 081), homogeneous degree of tumor after contrast enhancement (? 2=17 014), and duration time were significant different ( P

Objective To establish a stable and reproducible experimental method of dynamic CT perfusion imaging in measurements of perihematomal cerebral blood flow after intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) in rats, and to study its validation. Methods Seventy male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into ICH groups and sham-operated groups. ICH was produced by microinjection of 40 ?l fresh autologous blood or saline into the right caudatum. Dynamic CT perfusion imaging in measurements of regional cerebral blood flow adjacent to hematomas was performed. Then, rats were sacrificed, and the TTC stain and histopathological examination were carried out. The ratios of side-to-side were measured at the regions around the hematomas by personal computer aided mapping. Results The gradient of perihematomal hypoperfusion was revealed by regional cerebral blood flow (rCBF) and regional cerebral blood volume (rCBV) maps in ICH groups. The alternation of rCBF around the hematomas were fluctuated, and rCBF reduction was most pronounced at 1 hour after ICH, then, the rCBF gradually returned, and returned to the peaks at 6 hours and 24 hours after ICH respectively. TTC stain did not show infarction around the hematoma. Histopathological study demonstrated there was a transitional zone between ICH and the normal brain tissue, and the astrocytic swelling and neuronal degeneration were observed in the peri-ICH regions. The inflammatory cell infiltration and capillaries hyperplasia were also seen around the ICH. Conclusion The method of dynamic CT perfusion imaging in measurements of perihematomal cerebral blood flow after intracerebral hemorrhage in rats is stable and accurate. Perfusion CT and its parameter analysis may play an increasing role in delineating the hypoperfusion around hematomas. The experimental method is suitable and validated to the study of secondly injury after ICH in vivo.

Objective To evaluate the role of diffusion weighted (DW) echo planar MRI in differentiating between brain abscesses and necrotic or cystic tumors. Methods Five patients with brain abscesses, 7 with malignant gliomas, and 1 with brain metastasis were consecutively examined using conventional MRI and diffusion weighted imaging (DWI). The apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) of ROI was measured with two different b values (0 and 1 000 s/mm 2 or 0 and 1 200 s/mm 2). The results were analyzed using two independent samples test. Results On diffusion weighted imaging, brain abscesses showed marked hyperintensity in all 5 patients, whereas necrotic or cystic brain tumors demonstrated hypointensity in all 8 patients. ADC mean values of brain abscesses, which was 0.43?10 -3 cm 2/s, were lower than those of necrotic or cystic portion of brain tumors ( T =15.00, P